Tomorrow we take on Atletico Madrid in Spain for our third game in the Champions League. So far we have won both our games rather comfortably and the game in Madrid is going to be by far our biggest test so far in the competition. I am actually looking forward to the game as it will give us a good account on how far we have come as a team.
It is a pitty Fernando Torres will not be playing due to his hamstring injury. I am sure he was looking forward to this match when the draw was done as he was going to go back to his home ground and play infront of the fans that loved him so much. Loosing Torres is a big blow for us but we saw on the weekend that we can get results even without our hitman. Kuyt seems to have taken the role upfront now in Torres’ absence and he bagged two goals against Wigan, you could not have asked for more. Now we will see if he can do the same tomorrow. Many maybe surprised that Kuyt is now scoring goals but lets not forget that we signed him as an out and out striker so he has the ability to score.
Where I am slightly concerned with regards to the game tomorrow is with our defence. Agger did not cover himself in defensive glory against Wigan and he has to step up and have a much better defensive performance. We all know Agger is great going forward but his main job is to defend and he should do that first before venturing forward. I am not happy at all with our two fullbacks, Dossena and Arbeloa. I feel they both can step up their games especially going forward and offer us some width. Dossena was signed off the back of having a great reputation in Italy but to date I have not seen what all the fuss was about him. Maybe he needs a season to adjust to the English style of football but it is a season we do not have to spare and he needs to get the job done now.
I feel Stevie G is a tad tired. He did not look his normal self on the weekend against Wigan and I blame it on the games he played for England. And now he has another game tomorrow and then a big one on the weekend against Chelsea, he will be burnt out come Sunday. If I were Rafa I would actually rest Stevie for tomorrows game and give him time to recover. Mascherano will be back so rather have him and Alonso in midfield.
I see Liverpool getting a 1-1 draw in tomorrows game. It will be a great result which will mean we would only need 3 points from our last 3 games to progress to the next round.
My prediction would have to be along the lines of 2-1 Liverpool